Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, December 2, 1993 TAG: 9312020292
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
It could be even better.
With two weeks left in the regular season last year, plans were being made to play off a four-way tie for first place among Salem, William Byrd, Alleghany and Northside.
Salem won the title without a playoff and is favored to repeat. But don't bet the Spartans will be able to avoid a playoff this time - and it might be a six-team affair.
That's how close the Blue Ridge District seems to be.
"It could be like last year, only this season there won't be two teams at the bottom with one victory apiece," said Alleghany coach Jimmy Smith.
Last year, Rockbridge County and Lord Botetourt traded victories with each other but weren't in the race with the other four teams. This winter, they're much improved and could even compete for the title.
Rockbridge County returns its top two scorers - Marty Early and Kenny Lewis - for new coach Damon Williams, a star at William Fleming and VMI before beginning his coaching career as an assistant last year at Salem High.
Lord Botetourt, under coach Don Meredith, returns four starters including the district's second-tallest player, 6-foot-6 Jeff Cronise.
Meredith says that all the experience might have a negative factor mixed in there somewhere. "Last year, Cronise was the only one on the floor who had been in a winning program. The other kids hadn't won on a junior varsity or intermediate school level.
"Look at some of the other statistics. Last year's team was the first in my career where we were outshot at the free throw line. We shot 52 percent to our opponents' 63 percent. We were very poor free throw shooters.
"We were outshot in 3-point percentage and we shot 100 fewer free throws than our opponents. These kids think that because we have everyone back, they're going to win. Statistically, last year was the worst team in my career and I don't know how much we can improve in one year."
Some statistics make Botetourt look better. The Cavaliers had a big edge in rebounding and in steals. On the other hand, they also had 118 more turnovers than their opponents.
For that reason, Salem is still the favorite. That's because of the steadying hand of Mark Byington, a returning All-Timesland player who guided the Spartans into their first Region III semifinal last year.
"I see us as a little bit faster team, but we're not taking up as much space in the paint this year," said Salem coach Charlie Morgan, whose team must make up for the loss of 6-4 Josh Pugh.
The Spartans return Nathan Routt and Kevin Garst as starters and pick up Matt Woolwine, the point guard for Glenvar's Pioneer District champions. Woolwine moved to Salem this past summer.
Alleghany is likely to finish second ahead of Botetourt because of 6-5 Todd Wheatley, who is a tremendous player both inside and outside. The Mountaineers' chances depend on the health of 6-2 Jermaine Winston, who played half a season before a stress fracture ended his season. Now he's battling high blood pressure.
Botetourt is a good bet to finish third. The Cavaliers are a veteran outfit with a blend of height and talent at guard.
How the other three teams will finish is anyone's guess. Rockbridge County lacks height. William Byrd, which upset Alleghany in last year's district tournament, has experience but no height. If senior Donald Childress and his brother, sophomore Chris Childress, can dominate, the Terriers figure to move way up in the title picture.
Northside's only returning starter is senior guard Nathan Hungate. The Vikings have the district's tallest player, 6-6 1/2 junior Dana Gibson. But he's seen little action and still must prove himself. If he becomes a force, the Vikings figure to be one of the best in the region, not just the district.
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by CNB